Can't decide on repair options...

[Soothsayerman]

It's time to send the Canon Canonet QL17GIII into the shop for some TLC and my local camera shop doesn't want to touch it. I apologize ahead of time if this question is old and ask for your patience.

The seals need replacement, the film speed selector is pretty sticky, the rangefinder is slightly out of alignment, the film door latch doesn't operate as smoothly as it used to, and she needs a good cleaning, otherwise she's perfect! 🙂

I've searched through the forums and the three options I've come across are, Essex camera repair in New Jersery, United Camera repair in Illinois, and Precision Camera repair in CT. They all seem to charge around $100 usd.

Anyone have any thoughts on these repair shops? I would very much appreciate it.

Regards

 

[pagpow]

I'd be tempted to troll for one in good condition and skip the repair, Soothsayerman.

 

[Soothsayerman]

I'd be tempted to troll for one in good condition and skip the repair, Soothsayerman.

Yep, I thought of that, but I am sort of attached to it. I guess I am still on the fence a bit but I'm pretty sure I want to send her in. If I could find one that was 100% perfect I might, but I think my chances of that are slim.

 

[leica M2 fan]

I have one that is in perfect shape and it is such a great camera that if it needed CLA I would do it in a heartbeat. Just love that 40 mm lens.

 

[peter_n]

I paid $75 a few years ago to Essex and it came back absolutely perfect. $100 can be accounted for by inflation. They are good cameras and the lens in mine was excellent. It was worth it, believe me.

 

[chris00nj]

You'll spend either a $100 on a new camera in good working order or a $100 on the CLA, so it's a wash.

 

[Ronald M]

No guarantee a new one will not require some work in the near future.

 

[oftheherd]

...

The seals need replacement, the film speed selector is pretty sticky, the rangefinder is slightly out of alignment, the film door latch doesn't operate as smoothly as it used to, and she needs a good cleaning, otherwise she's perfect! 🙂
...

Sounds like you read that off an ebay description. Are you selling? 😀 😀

I have never delt with any of the shop you mentioned. But several times in RFF, I have seen posters I respect for their knowledge, say Essex is reliable and reasonable.

 

[Soothsayerman]

Sounds like you read that off an ebay description. Are you selling? 😀 😀

I have never delt with any of the shop you mentioned. But several times in RFF, I have seen posters I respect for their knowledge, say Essex is reliable and reasonable.

Hehe, nope, didn't get it off of ebay and I don't want to sell. I think I will send her in to Essex and also buy a second one of ebay at some point just to have. Several people have recommended Essex so that sounds good to me.

I'll post some pics of her when I get it back!

Thanks for the comments everyone!

 

[Brian Legge]

The light seals and the rangefinder calibration would be trivial fixes you could probably do yourself if you're handy.

The speed selection and would probably be tricky as the Canonets can be built pretty tightly - I have a few I've almost written off opening up as I can't get all of the front element glass out. The door might require part replacement which could be a mess.

If you can live with the more difficult issues, you could probably get most of the way there yourself pretty easily.

 

[dogberryjr]

Essex seems to have a good reputation and they've been responsive to all my questions. Go ahead and drop the cash into a professional CLA. You know your camera, so there shouldn't be any surprises lurking as there might be with a "new" purchase.

 

[NathanJD]

With these lovely old things getting older and older it takes people to turn to those examples in a need of some TLC to say to hell with the costs and to just get them looked at. it's the same with old cars, yes the repair may cost more than the car but if you love that car and want to keep it in shape then go for it.

A camera ignored and scrapped due to minor issues is one less for the enthusiast of tomorrow.

I say fix it up and enjoy the new lease of life you have gifted it!